Climb Aboard The Hell Train

• Track Listing

Although Strange's music was played around the world he is perhaps a mystery to most people, even when his work gained major airplay. Billy Strange was referred to as "Guitarist in the coterie of session musicians known as The Wrecking Crew". He was a guitarist, arranger, and songwriter, he co-wrote A Little Less Conversation for Elvis Presley and arranged These Boots Are Made for Walking for Nancy Sinatra. He became famous for recording instrumentals and made many albums and he appeared as an actor in Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) starring Sissy Spacek. In the 1970s, he settled in Nashville to open a publishing company for the Sinatra family. The album includes his group and solo recordings along with session work and from these several titles became hit records! The session work ranged from rollicking up-tempo Hillbilly Jump Tunes from the likes of Capitol Records artists, Tennessee Ernie with Ella Mae Morse, Tommy Collins, Ramblin' Jimmie Dolan and Jean Shepard with Speedy West. The music then changes direction to feature Rock 'n' Roll entertainers who all were hit-making artists were, Wanda Jackson, Elvis Presley, and Ricky Nelson. Strange during 1961 used the nom de plume Sweetpea Johnson, for a one-off Liberty Records single, and both sides make their CD debut on this album. Instrumentals include a Billy Strange solo recording, a duet with Roy Clark, and his contribution to The Ventures double-sided 45 rpm which became very popular in Rock 'n' Roll Clubs. As a bonus to end the album two songs from his wife Jeanne Black are included, a solo performance and from the Jeanne and Janie duo, making thirty recordings in total. This is where we end his story however his recording career continued. The album is great to play at home and perfect for Dee Jays who will find good dance-floor filling songs.

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